A Detailed Guide to Welsh Onion Planting Time and Methods

SummaryPlanting time: transplant in May-June in spring, in September-November in summer and autumn, and in November-December in winter. Planting method: raise seedlings in fertile soil, then apply an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer, carbofuran, and carbendazim powder, then choose a suitable transplanting time, and transplant at a row spacing of 80 cm and a plant spacing of 1.5-2 cm. After rain, drain the water promptly; in hot and dry weather, water to lower the temperature; in the later stage, apply an appropriate amount of urea, potassium sulfate and other fertilizers as topdressing.

I. Planting Time

1. Spring planting and autumn harvest: raise seedlings in March-April, then transplant in May-June, and finally harvest in October-December. 

2. Spring planting and winter harvest: raise seedlings in March-May, then transplant in June-July, and finally harvest from December to January of the following year.

3. Summer-autumn planting and spring harvest: raise seedlings in May-September, then transplant in September-November, and finally harvest in May-July of the following year.

4. Winter planting and spring-summer harvest: raise seedlings in September-October, then transplant in November-December, and finally harvest in May-July of the following year.

II. Preparing the Seedbed

1. The seedbed should be chosen in a plot with fertile, level land, close to a water source, and with convenient drainage.

2. Then carry out shallow plowing and fine harrowing. Apply 50 kg of compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, and at the same time apply 2.5 kg of carbofuran and 0.5 kg of carbendazim powder to kill underground pests and pathogens.

III. Sowing Method

1. Before sowing, first take out the covering soil from the border, then water the border thoroughly. After the water has seeped through, mix the seeds with a small amount of sandy soil, sow them twice in the border, and finally cover with soil.

2. The soil covering thickness is 1.5-2 cm. The seeding rate for the seedling field is 1.3 kg per mu, which can generally transplant 3-5 mu.

IV. Timely Transplanting

Choose a suitable transplanting time, open furrows for transplanting at a row spacing of 80 cm and a plant spacing of 1.5-2 cm. Before transplanting, first strictly grade the onion seedlings, then carry out chemical treatment, which helps eliminate root maggots and ensure a full stand.

V. Reasonable Watering

1. After transplanting Welsh onions, it is necessary to promote rooting. During this period, control the frequency of watering and drain promptly after rain to prevent waterlogging, so as to avoid root rot, yellow leaves, and dead seedlings.

2. After transplanting, if there is continuous rainy weather, it will cause root rot and dead seedlings of Welsh onions, so attention should be paid to timely drainage. In hot and dry weather, water to lower the temperature.

VI. Timely Topdressing

1. After the Start of Autumn, apply “leaf-promoting fertilizer”. Generally, 20-25 kg of superphosphate and 1500-2000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure can be applied per mu.

2. After White Dew, apply “plant-promoting fertilizer” twice in combination with watering. Each time, apply 15-20 kg of urea and 10-15 kg of potassium sulfate per mu.

VII. Timely Earthing Up

The main purpose of earthing up is to soften the leaf sheaths, prevent lodging, and improve the yield and quality of the white onion stalks. From the Start of Autumn to before harvest, generally 3 times of earthing up are needed. The first 2 times can be combined with intertillage, hilling the ridge soil into the onion furrows, and after the End of Heat, fill the furrows level again.